Critically Endangered Sawfish Dead in Australia With Toothed Saws Chopped Off

In Western Australia, four critically endangered sawfish were found dead with their distinctive teeth saws or rostrums severed.

According to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) of Western Australia, the fish were discovered on Friday near Cleaverville Creek, around 900 kilometers north of Perth.

According to a DPIRD spokesman quoted in an ABC News Australia report, a member of the public alerted DPIRD to the dead fish.

Officers were dispatched to measure the sawfish and collect tissue samples while they looked into what had transpired.

Illegal and Cruel

These fish's precise species have not yet been determined.

They were presumably green sawfish, according to David Morgan, a specialist on aquatic ecosystems at Murdoch University in Perth, who told ABC Australia that they had been slaughtered for their rostrums to be used as trophies.

The fact that these four creatures were slaughtered solely for a trophy, according to Morgan, is a great sorrow. All they want to do is hang it on their wall. They resemble rhino horns and elephant tusks.

Not only is it forbidden, he added, but it is also cruel.

Critically Endangered Sawfish

Sawfish are a kind of ray, despite their shark-like appearance.

There are five species, all of which were formerly common but are now included on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List as "endangered" or "critically endangered."

On the Red List, green sawfish are listed as critically endangered. According to the Sawfish Conservation Society, green sawfish can reach lengths of up to 20 feet and have long, toothed "saws" or rostrums with 23 to 37 teeth, which account for almost a quarter of their entire length.

These fish are protected throughout Western Australia, Queensland, and the Northern Territory because they are classified as "vulnerable" under Australia's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

Threats and Declines

Due to intentional fishing for their saws, fins, and meat for traditional medicine or shark fin soup, their populations have drastically decreased.

Additionally, habitat loss, unintentional bycatch, and entanglement in fishing gear have an impact on these sawfish.

Over the last three generations, it is estimated that their population has dropped by 80%.

The north of Western Australia is one of the few surviving fish hotspots, therefore Morgan said it is disheartening that these four carcasses were discovered there.

Additionally, Morgan expressed his wish for people to become aware of the fact that these are critically endangered animals.

As an iconic species, locals should even have a large sign inviting visitors to sawfish country, in Morgan's opinion.

Also Read: Starfish Facts: Misnamed Stars of the Oceans 

Fines and Reports

A spokeswoman for the DPIRD stated that anyone accountable for the sawfish's demise might be subject to fines of up to 25,000 Australian dollars, or $16,700, according to Newsweek.

Anyone with knowledge regarding the occurrence is urged to contact the authorities via FishWatch, according to DPIRD.

The spokesman advised individuals to contact FishWatch instead of approaching anyone they believe is engaged in fish or fishing-related unlawful behavior, ABC Australia reported.

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